Page 180 of Show Me

He holds out a folder. “Need this taken to a job location. Travis needs to sign.”

“That’s easy enough.”

“Over at the Harper house.”

I slip the folder into my bag. Okay, not so easy. For whatever reason, Lindsey rubs me the wrong way, but I won’t let Mr. Cole down. He’s had my back since day one. “I can run it over.”

His gaze lingers on me longer than usual. “You sure? I was going to ask you to take it to Lewis.” He’s in the back singing off-key to whatever song plays on the local radio station. Very off-key.

The question isn’t about the errand. I understand that immediately. He’s concerned about my safety and whether I feel comfortable going somewhere without an escort. At this point, I’d go to the dentist to have a minute to myself.

“I’ll text you when I get there.” I snatch my purse off the back of my chair. “I’m not disappearing into the wilderness.”

One side of his mouth twitches. “Good plan.”

“I’m going to stop by the vet clinic also. I need to get some supplies for Squirt.” I grab my keys and send Xavier a quick message.

Me: Running an errand for your dad. Stopping by vet clinic after.

His reply comes back almost immediately.

Xavier: Text me at each stop.

Protective. Concerned. Comforting. Dangerously comforting.

I shove my phone into my pocket before I can think too hard about why that makes warmth spread through my chest.

The drive across town is uneventful.

Lukewarm air filters through the vents while I tap my fingers against the steering wheel, trying not to think about shattered glass or handwritten notes or the fact I woke up in Xavier’s bed this morning and nobody acted surprised by it.

Temporary. That’s what this is supposed to be, even if it stopped feeling temporary somewhere along the way.

Brookhaven Veterinary comes into view a few minutes later, and I pull into the gravel lot. The bell above the clinic door jingles as I step inside.

The familiar mix of antiseptic, shampoo, wet fur, and livestock feed settles around me. It isn't unpleasant. Just... unmistakably a veterinary clinic.

The receptionist smiles. “Hey, Ruby.”

“Hi. I was hoping to grab a few things for Squirt.”

“Dr. Hannah’s will be out soon.”

I nod my thanks and glance toward the treatment area as the exam room door swings open.

Dr. Hannah Carter steps out first, jotting something on a chart before handing it to the receptionist. My dad follows behind her, tugging his jacket back on.

I blink. “Dad?”

His head comes up. “Ruby?”

“What're you doing here?”

“Brought one of the sows in this morning.” He hooks a thumb toward the exam room. “Thought she'd picked up an infection.”

I glance at Hannah. “Is she okay?”

“She will be.” Hannah smiles as the faint hint of peppermint filters through the air. “We caught it early.”